Homewood Suites by Hilton Indianapolis At The Crossing

Indy 500 Practice & Time Trials

by grkboiler

I haven't been to an Indianapolis 500 race yet, but the practice and time trials can be fun to watch. You are still at one of the most historic speedways in the world, and you still get a great look at the cars used in the race. Not everything is race-related either. There are plenty of activities going on throughout the day, and there is always the museum.

Practice and qualifying days are held during the 3 weeks leading up to race day, which is always the Sunday before Memorial Day every May. Check the website for a schedule.

Personally, I think the best day to go is Bubble Day (or Bump Day). This is the final day of qualifying where certain drivers are "on the bubble" to qualify for the race with other drivers trying to steal those final spots on the starting grid. You can feel the pressure with each driver heading out to the track, and they will always give their best effort with a spot in the race on the line.

If you can get a Pit Pass, you can get up close to all the action, walk near the garages, along the pits, and see Gasoline Alley, which is the path between the garages and the pits. You will spot some drivers and possibly some celebrities.

Admission to practice is $5, and is $10 to qualifying and Carburation Day. Parking prices can be ridiculous, but is available everywhere around the track. Don't bother getting a prepaid parking pass for practice days - you will find something.

In & around the Circle City...

by Cabana_Boy

If you are in Illinois, Kentucky, Western Ohio, or Southern Michigan, Indianapolis is only a few hours drive and is easy to get via the Interstates 65, 69 & 70. Other than that, your probably flying into Indianapolis International Airport. Once in Indy, rent a car or if you are only staying downtown just rent cabs.

Indianapolis is a small city, so, getting around town in a rental car is easy and quick. From downtown, you can get to any of the suburbs in twenty minutes or less.

Because of its size and the ease of parking, Indianapolis does not have any real mass transit. I do not even think the bus system is that extensive! So, if you do not rent a car, take a cab. Those do exist in this 'one horse' city. Walking also works for all things “downtown.”

A reason to visit!

by BoneDoctor

There are three 'main' races per year here, the Formula 1, Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400.

Even if you're not a racing fan, this is a unique experience, and is reason enough to visit!

The Formula 1 race is an international event, and thousands of European and South American fans attend. This normally sedate midwestern town becomes a hot, trendy international destination for a week around the F1! There is a tremendous amount of pagentry associated with the event, and various car clubs show antique cars in town before the race (I saw dozens of old Jaguars parked around War Memorial Circle).

The race is hard to follow for a neophyte like me, but the sheer size of the track, speed of the cars, and vast numbers of fans in attendance, with national flags, songs, and energy make this an outstanding event.

See the travelogue page for more pictures.

Indiana State Capitol Building

by sambarnett

As I said earlier, I got a personalized tour by my Great Uncle so I don't exactly know what an organized tour shows the visitor. But the 1880 Rennaissance Revival building is open to the public from 9 am to 4 pm weekdays and is free.

Pretty City with a Game Convention

by apuleuis

I went to Indianapolis to go to the game convention GenCon. But I spent some of the time checking out the city. This photo was actually taken out of my hotel window. In general I thought it was a great city. Big enough to have a lot to offer. Small enough to not feel lost in. I was doing all my walking by myself and felt completely safe.

Much of downtown was pretty more than it was functional. This fountain was the middle a nice sized park area. Many of the government buildings are in this area.

This is the Indiana Repertory Theater. I thought it was the coolest building in the city.